Can gripper



June30, 1942. E.ULZHE1MER 2,287,919

CAN GRIPPER Filed June 19, 1941 25 1 r INVENTOR.

. f. (/[ZHE/Mfl? Z3 7 I BY Patented June 30, 1942 U N l T E STAT PT I 1 Claim.

This invention relates to can holders in general, and more particularly to grippers for ice cream cans when the latter are in place in the refrigerator behind the counter. At present the ice cream cans are set loosely in the refrigerator, and when the can is nearly or even partly empty, the force applied to the scoop when a portion is being scooped out, is frequently sumcient to cause the can to rotate on its axis owing to its free and loose mounting, or even to lift the can upward. This condition necessitates the use of both hands by the operator, one hand for holding the can against rotation and the other for working the scoop. That such a condition is disadvantageous and undesirable, is obvious.

It is one object of this invention to overcome the said disadvantage for ice cream cans in refrigerators, by providing a device in the bottom of the refrigerator, which receives the can or cans of ice cream and grips them securely to restrain the cans from rotation or vertical movement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is simple in construction and which may be easily installed, and Which is at the same time inexpensive in cost of manufacture.

The above and other objects will became apparent in the description below, wherein characters of reference refer to like-numbered parts on the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof. It is to be understood that the drawing serves primarily for purposes of il ustration, and it is not intended or desired to limit the invention necessarily to the exact details of construction shown.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device, adapted to receive two cans.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure5 is a plan view of a modified form of the device, adapted to receive a single can.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of Figure 5, as seen looking from the left.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral l0 indicates the base of the device and is formed by a pair of spaced parallel members II. The ends l2 of the device are formed by upturning the extremities of the members II to approximately vertical position, as shown by the arms [3. Near the upper ends of the arms l3 at each end of the device, a horizontal arched cross-member or jaw I4 is secured to the arms l3, with the concave side of the arch facing inward. The concave sides of the jaws M are provided with serrations or teeth I5.

Intermediate the length of the device, and one on each side, are a pair of inverted U-shaped uprights l6, secured to the base members II by feet I! at the extremities of their legs 18. A spring l9 joins the two uprights [6 at their upper extremities. It is to be noted that the legs iii are twisted slightly so that their inner flat surfaces face toward the vertical axis through the the center of curvature of the opposed arched jaw l5, as seen in Figure 2. Secured to the said flat surfaces of the legs 18, are arched springs 20.

The device may be made of any suitable material, such as, for instance, strap iron, so that the end members l2, and consequently the jaws M are substantially rigid. The device so far described, as stated, is adapted to accommodate two cans. When a can is inserted into either side of the device, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, its bottom rests on the base l0 and its peripheral wall is gripped between the resilient jaw M on one side and the pair of arched springs 20 on the other side. The coiled spring [9, by urging the uprights I6 together, thereby urges the arched springs 2|] against the can, and the serrated jaw [4 tends to enhance the resistance to movement of the can when ice cream is being scooped out. The can is thus securely retained in fixed position, with suflicient restraining force to prevent movement as just mentioned, yet the said force is suificiently weak to permit lifting of the can out of the device when desired.

In the modified form, adapted to accommodate a single can, the base is formed of a pair of intersecting members 2i provided with a reinforcement 22. The members 2| are here also bent upward to a nearly vertical position to provide four arms 23. Three of the arms 23 are provided with arched springs 24, similar to the springs 26, and the fourth arm 23 is provided with a horizontal arched jaw 25. The operation of this form of the deviceis believed readily apparent.

Obviously, modifications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

A can receptacle comprising a base formed of a pair of spaced parallel members, end members extending upward from said base and having opposed horizontal jaws mounted thereon, a pair of laterally opposed intermediate upright members mounted on said base members, a spring joining said opposed intermediate members, each of said intermediate members having a, pair of longitudinally spaced upright legs, each of said legs being twisted inwardly, and a spring on each of said legs on that surface thereof which faces toward the adjacent of said jaws.

EUGENE ULZHEIMER. 

